Element (song) explained

Element
Artist:Kendrick Lamar
Album:Damn
Recorded:2017
Studio:Jungle City Studios
Genre:Hip hop

"Element" (stylized as "ELEMENT.") is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The fourth track on the album (eleventh on the Collector's Edition of Damn[1]), the song was written by Lamar, Sounwave, James Blake, and Ricci Riera and produced by Sounwave, Blake, and Riera, with additional production by Tae Beast and Bēkon.[2] The song charted in multiple countries in 2017.

Background

The song was first introduced by basketball player LeBron James on his Instagram story when he filmed himself dancing to the song prior to Damn release.[3]

Lyrics

The track opens with a skit from Kid Capri, who refers to Lamar as "Kung Fu Kenny". Afterwards Kendrick Lamar repeats the phrase "I don't give a fuck", before the first verse starts. This was interpreted by many sources as Lamar mocking Big Sean for his song “I Don't Fuck with You” in which he says the lyrics in a similar cadence.[4] Tam's Burgers is later mentioned.

Some sources have interpreted the song as a diss track on American rapper Big Sean and Canadian rapper Drake. However, Andres Tardio of Rap-Up has stated the song's hook as a possible diss on Drake, Big Sean, or American recording artist Jay Electronica.[5] [6]

The second verse of the song has been described to have a resemblance to Lamar's "The Heart Part 4", a song also theorized to have contained lyrics that diss Drake and Big Sean. The second verse as follows:

Production

The song features production from musician and producer James Blake.[7] Ricci Riera, who previously worked as a producer on the Lamar-Schoolboy Q collaboration "Collard Greens", also worked as producer for the song. The song contains a sample of "Ha" by rapper Juvenile from his third studio album 400 Degreez.[8] [9]

Music video

The song's accompanying music video premiered on June 27, 2017 on Lamar's Vevo channel on YouTube.[10] The video was directed by Jonas Lindstroem and The Little Homies[11] [12] (pseudonyms for Lamar himself and Dave Free).[13] [14] [15]

Described as violent[16] and powerful,[17] the music video contains powerful imagery, some of which contains direct references to photographs of civil rights photographer, musician, writer, and director Gordon Parks.[18] [19] The video also mimics the imagery from the music video for "Humble", the first single from Damn.[20]

The music video has received positive reviews.[21] Lawrence Burney of noisey called the video "the masterpiece you anticipated."

Critical reception

Joe Price of Pigeons and Planes named "Element" as one of the best songs of the week, the week of April 14, 2017, saying the song has "memorable verses and a sticky hook over some sparse but gorgeous production."[22] Continuing, Price says "Element" is "a prime example of what makes Damn an immediately appealing body of work that is just as rewarding as his more challenging output." Meave McDermott of USA Today, in a positive review, said the song "still sounds sharp and unforgiving even when he's coining catchphrases."

Live performances

Lamar performed "Element" for the first time live at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 23, 2017.[23] [24] [25] [26] His performance at Coachella was highly acclaimed, with the L.A. Times describing his performance as "simple, yet powerful."

Lamar has performed "Element" on the Damn tour.[27]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the official Damn digital booklet.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2017)Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[28] 17
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[29] 23
US Billboard Hot 100[30] 16

Year-end charts

Notes and References

  1. Web site: India. Lindsey. Kendrick Lamar Surprises Fans With 'Damn.' Collector's Edition. XXL. December 9, 2017. December 8, 2017.
  2. Web site: Here's the full credit list for Kendrick Lamar's DAMN.. April 14, 2017. FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music.. April 24, 2017.
  3. News: McDermott. Maeve. Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.': A track-by-track instant review. USA Today. April 14, 2017. April 24, 2017. en.
  4. News: Did Kendrick Lamar Take Shots At Big Sean & Drake On His New Album 'DAMN'?. Castro. Danilo. April 14, 2017. Heavy.com. April 24, 2017. en-US.
  5. Web site: Tardio. Andres. 14 Times Kendrick Lamar Made Us Say 'DAMN.' on His Album. Rap-Up. April 20, 2017. April 24, 2017.
  6. News: Did Kendrick Lamar Diss Big Sean On "Element"? Fans Have Major Suspicions. Gallagher. Caitlin. Bustle. April 24, 2017. en.
  7. Kendrick Lamar's 'Damn.': A Track-by-Track Guide. Rolling Stone. April 14, 2017. April 24, 2017.
  8. Web site: Kendrick Lamar's 'ELEMENT.' - Discover the Sample Source. WhoSampled. April 24, 2017.
  9. Web site: Every Sample On Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.'. April 17, 2017. YouTube. Genius. April 24, 2017.
  10. News: Kendrick Lamar Drops 'Element' Video. XXL. June 27, 2017.
  11. Web site: Kendrick Lamar Brawls in the Street in Powerful New Video for "Element". Complex. en. June 29, 2017.
  12. Watch Kendrick Lamar Weigh Peace, Violence in Striking 'Element' Video. Rolling Stone. June 29, 2017. October 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171019061106/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/see-kendrick-lamar-weigh-peace-violence-in-element-video-w490081. dead.
  13. Web site: Craighead. Olivia. Drake Announces 2017 OVO Fest Lineup. The FADER. June 27, 2017. June 29, 2017.
  14. Web site: Yoo. Noah. Watch Kendrick Lamar Brawl in Intense New "ELEMENT." Video Pitchfork. pitchfork.com. en. June 27, 2017. June 29, 2017.
  15. News: Gotrich. Lars. Kendrick Lamar Deals Heavy Blows In Video For 'ELEMENT.'. NPR.org. June 27, 2017. June 29, 2017. en.
  16. News: Moore. Sam. Watch Kendrick Lamar's violent new video for 'ELEMENT.' - NME. June 27, 2017. NME. July 18, 2017. en-US.
  17. Web site: Cowen. Trace William. Kendrick Lamar Brawls in the Street in Powerful New Video for "Element". Complex. en. June 27, 2017. July 18, 2017.
  18. Web site: Dandridge-Lemco. Ben. Kendrick Lamar's "ELEMENT." Video Referenced Iconic Gordon Parks Photos. The FADER. June 27, 2017. July 18, 2017.
  19. News: Rife. Katie. Kendrick Lamar pays tribute to a pioneer in sublime "Element" video. June 28, 2017. July 18, 2017.
  20. Blistein. Jon. Watch Kendrick Lamar Weigh Peace, Violence in Striking 'Element' Video. Rolling Stone. June 27, 2017. July 18, 2017. October 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171019061106/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/see-kendrick-lamar-weigh-peace-violence-in-element-video-w490081. dead.
  21. Web site: Burney. Lawrence. Kendrick Lamar's "Element" Video Is the Masterpiece You Anticipated. Noisey. en-us. June 27, 2017. July 18, 2017.
  22. News: Price. Joe. Best Songs of the Week - Kendrick Lamar - "Element". PigeonsandPlanes. April 24, 2017. en.
  23. Web site: Kendrick Lamar Performs 'Element,' 'i' and More at 2017 Coachella - XXL. XXL Mag. 24 April 2017 . en-US. April 25, 2017.
  24. News: Kendrick Lamar sends off Coachella weekend 2 on a high note. USA TODAY. April 25, 2017. en.
  25. Web site: Kendrick Lamar Setlist at Coachella Festival 2017. setlist.fm. April 25, 2017.
  26. Kendrick Lamar Commands Coachella Stage on Day 3 of Final Weekend, Hans Zimmer Rocks, Justice Light it Up. Billboard. April 25, 2017.
  27. Web site: Masley. Ed. Kendrick Lamar launches DAMN. Tour in Glendale with triumphant one-man show of force. AZ Central. July 13, 2017. October 30, 2017.
  28. Web site: IRMA – Irish Charts. Irish Recorded Music Association. April 21, 2017.
  29. Web site: NZ Top 40 Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. May 1, 2017. April 28, 2017.
  30. Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.': All 14 Tracks Hit Hot 100. Mendizabal. Amaya. Billboard. April 24, 2017. April 25, 2017.
  31. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Year-End 2017. Billboard. Billboard.com. 2017-12-11.

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